Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Energy equivalent refers to the amount of energy that is equivalent to a certain mass, measured in millions of electron volts (MeV). It represents the conversion factor between mass and energy.
This term refers to Einstein's famous equation E=mc², which states that mass and energy are interchangeable.
Electron Volt (eV): An electron volt is a unit used to measure energy on an atomic scale. It is defined as the amount of kinetic energy gained by an electron when it is accelerated through an electric potential difference of one volt.
Nuclear Binding Energy: Nuclear binding energy is the amount of energy required to break apart a nucleus into its individual protons and neutrons. It represents the "glue" that holds atomic nuclei together.